Regular Home Maintenance is Key

You LOVE where you live & inspecting your home on a regular basis and following good maintenance practices are the best way to protect your investment in your home. Establish a routine for yourself, and you will find the work is easy to accomplish and not very time-consuming. A regular schedule of seasonal maintenance can put a stop to the most common — and costly — problems, before they occur. If necessary, use a camera to take pictures of anything you might want to share with an expert for advice or to monitor or remind you of a situation later. By following the information noted here, you will learn about protecting your investment and how to help keep your home a safe and healthy place to live. If you do not feel comfortable performing some of the home maintenance tasks listed below, or do not have the necessary equipment, you may want to consider hiring a qualified handy-person. 

In many regions, fall is the perfect season to tackle general home maintenance projects because the weather is generally dry and temperatures are moderate. Before you start your seasonal home maintenance checklist, examine both the interior and exterior of your home. Most of these tasks can be accomplished without the help of a professional, but it's always better to be safe and call for assistance if a home improvement project is beyond your abilities. 

• Rake leaves and aerate the lawn.
• Have forced-air heating system inspected by a professional. Schedule an inspection in late summer or early fall before the heating season begins.
• Check fireplace for damage or hazards, and clean fireplace flues.
• Seal cracks and gaps in windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping; replace if necessary.
• Swap old, drafty windows for more energy-efficient models.
• Touch up exterior siding and trim with paint.
• Inspect roofing for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks.
• Power-wash windows and siding.
• Remove leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts.
• Mend cracks and gaps in the driveway and walkway.
• Drain and winterize exterior plumbing.
• Have your fireplace professionally inspected.
• Tune up major home appliances before the holidays.
• Repair or replace siding.
• Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Install a smoke detector on every floor of your home, including the basement.
• Clean the carpets.
• Clean window and door screens.
• Vacuum lint from the dryer vent.
• Inspect exterior door hardware; fix squeaky handles and loose locks.
• Check for frayed cords and wires.
• Drain and store hoses, and drain in-ground sprinkler systems.
• Wrap insulation around outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated garages.
• Check water heater for leaks.